In one of the biggest signings in club history, Chivas USA took another tentative step toward credibility today, announcing the signing of Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista from Atletico San Luis as a free agent.

It’s a logical move for a club — and player — who experienced major success at mothership CD Guadalajara.

The big question: Can a player who turns 35 in May still make an impact on MLS?

Here’s more from the club press release:

Born in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, Bautista began his professional career with C.D. Estudiantes Tecos in 1998.

The striker’s career grew with his arrival to Monarcas Morelia beginning in 2002, where he helped lead his new club to two finals. Bautista, commonly known in the soccer world as “Bofo,” moved on to a season with CF Pachuca, where he celebrated his first title as a member of the Tuzos.

The six-foot forward then entered one of the most celebrated stages of his career in 2004 with Chivas Guadalajara, where helped lead the Rebaño Sagrado to two finals, including the 2006 title under the guidance of former Mexican National Team Coach Jose Manuel de la Torre. It was in the 2006 Apertura Championship where the Red-and-White player became the final’s hero by scoring the clinching goal against Deportivo Toluca F.C. in the second leg.

Bautista was also a key figure in the club’s historic run in 2010 to the final of the prestigious Copa Libertadores during his second stint with the club under former Chivas USA Head Coach Jose Luis “Güero” Real.

At the international level, Bautista made his debut with Mexico’s National Team under Javier Aguirre on Jan. 19, 2002 in a 1-0 victory over El Salvador.

With 38 caps and 11 goals with El Tri, the forward was one of the 23-man roster that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. In addition, “Bofo” was part of the Mexican squads that attended the Copa America Peru 2004 and Venezuela 2007.

Bautista also served stints with Chiapas FC as well as Queretaro FC.

UPDATED

Here’s a sampling of fan reaction via twitter to the move:

Can't say I know too much about "Bofo", but this signing seems to have split the #ChivasUSA fans I know.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, still seeking a wide player capable of running at opposing back lines, has called time on Bell Gardens native Hector Jimenez turning into that player.

The 25-year-old midfielder, drafted by the Galaxy in 2011, was shipped to the Columbus Crew today in exchange for the 23rd overall pick in Thursday’s SuperDraft as well as allocation money.

Jimenez scored four goals in 43 Galaxy appearances including three goals in 14 starts last year. The lightweight, 140-pound Jimenez struggled to become the consistent attacking threat Arena was looking for — much like fellow winger Robbie Rogers, frankly — and apparently former Galaxy assistant coach Gregg Berhalter found Jimenez more convincing than Arena did now that he has returned to MLS with the Crew.

“Hector is an exciting young player and we are pleased to welcome him to our club,” Berhalter said in a statement. “He is a player that possesses several strong attacking attributes and will help our squad immediately.”

The trade means the Galaxy have no first round draft pick for the first time since 2007, an indication that Arena is not impressed with the quality of available players. The Galaxy also have a fourth round pick (72nd overall) acquired in a July 2012 trade with the New York Red Bulls.

The names Rob Friend, Samuel and Baggio Husidic may well sound like a rejected FourFourTwo spineline, but for Galaxy fans they are now a reality, welcome or not. For more, read this week’s column and revel in the anticipation that is the MLS SuperDraft (ahem).

Now that I’ve (briefly) come up for air from a Breaking Bad watching binge, it’s worth noting that:

Both the Galaxy and Chivas USA refined (and perhaps completed) their preseason plans by confirming games in Fresno and Las Vegas respectively.

The Galaxy have finally responded to frustrated fans’ pleas for new signings adding 22-year-old Brazilian attacker Samuel from Fluminense, scorer of 15 goals in 72 games for the club over the last two years.

The player will add another offensive option for the Galaxy, which struggled to unlock opposing back lines last season with the inventiveness seen in previous years.

Here’s more from the Galaxy press release:

Samuel debuted for Fluminense during the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A season, scoring five goals in 23 league appearances for the club, which won their fourth championship in club history that year. He also made five appearances in the 2012 Campeonato Carioca, which is the regional championship for the state of Rio de Janeiro, helping lead the club to that title as well. Last season, the 22-year-old had nine goals in 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring four times in Serie A play, four times in the Campeonato Carioca and once in the Copa do Brazil. He started in 12 of his 24 league appearances for Fluminense while also appearing in eight games during that year’s Copa Libertadores, helping his team reach the quarterfinals of South America’s premier continental club competition.

Conventional wisdom suggests that’s a real long shot, but 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee — scorer of 21 goals last season — has made a habit of doing the unlikely:

“I have a chance,” said Magee in this interview. “I’m motivated to leave a footprint on this team.”

Of course, given that Jurgen Klinsmann has been watching the likes of the unproductive like’s of Sunderland’s Jozy Altidore in England this season — although he is admittedly on one of the offensively weakest teams in the EPL — maybe he is searching for suitable replacements.

Meanwhile, here’s the complete roster with the usual suspects on board including Galaxy players Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan.

U.S. Soccer has more facts and figures breaking down the squad here, including the fact 15,000 tickets have been sold for the opening U.S. game of 2014 in Carson.

This year’s Torrance Rose Parade entry was sponsored by the nonprofit American Youth Soccer Organization, which was founded 50 years ago in the South Bay city and boasts a Torrance address to this day. Galaxy great Cobi Jones was among the riders on the float. (Photo by Staff Photographer Leo Jarzomb).

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